Untouchable by Marii Solaria

Chapter 6 – Foresight

“No one knows the future, but the present offers clues and hints on its direction.“–Innocent Mwatsikesimbe

Neron

The tension in Mom’s voice made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. Nuria and I shuffled to make room for her. She took the seat between us, resting the album on her lap. “A mother’s intuition never lies. I’m sure you both have questions as to what is going on.”

“Um… we do not know what you’re talking about?” Nuria chuckled nervously. Goddess, she was such a terrible liar, sometimes. I shook my head in disappointment.

“You both been receiving prophetic dreams, correct?” Silence. “Or dreams that reveal to you the future before it happens? What about dreams involving your mates?”

My jaw clammed shut. How did Mom know about that? Has Nuria been getting the same dreams like me? My sister looked at me with eyes pleading for help, but I didn’t know how to help her. I was just as confused. Mom took our silence as her answer, nodding before flipping through the pages of the album. The photos of our family aged the further she flipped, going back in time as each photo lost its color.

“I haven’t done my due diligence on explaining your true family history.” Mom started; eyes glued to the album. “You both are aware of your paternal family history, but not mine. Your ability to dream and see the future directly results from your Norwegian blood; a blessing passed down by your ancestor, Ulf, and Alva Johansen.”

“Never heard of those people before.” I rested my elbow on the armrest. “Why didn’t you tell us this before?”

“Well, I have been dead for thirteen years, for one.” Mom laughed. “And these abilities typically manifest between late adolescence and early adulthood, but there are some exceptions, especially for the both of you.” She flipped to a page where an aged, yellowed portrait of a man was shown, wearing what looked to be Viking clothing. His face was stoic, yet I felt the power from this man radiating through the picture.

“He doesn’t look friendly.” Nuria joked. Mom smiled, shaking her head as she patted her on the top of her head. She huffed, batting her hand away playfully.

“The Johansen bloodline stretches back many centuries, dating back as early as when the gods once roamed the earth.” Mom’s fingers gently smoothed out the bent corner of the portrait. “Ulf Johansen was a Viking werewolf one hundred percent dedicated to Lord Odin, King of the Norse Gods. Our family has many stories of how werewolves came about in Norway. From what I can remember from when I was a child, one story stated Ulf was one of the first werewolves born from Fenrir, the demonic werewolf beast destined to kill Odin during Ragnarok but was purified by Selene once she saw their internal suffering. Another stated Ulf was born as one of Selene’s creations, just like the rest of the werewolf race, and was gifted, along with many others, to Odin as a sign of companionship. The Asnuz Pack, our family’s pack, is one of the oldest of Norway.”

“Zircon Moon had nothing on them.” Nuria chuckled.

“Not even a droplet of worth,” Mom added.

“Interesting,” I muttered, tapping my finger against my thigh. “What else is there?”

Chapter & Foresight

“Much more. Holy wars were a common occurrence between the gods that, often, spilled into the mortal realm. As a non–human, Ulf fought to protect his people during the wars, Unfortunately, he harbored distrust for anyone who wasn’t a wolf, as there has been some uneasy peace amongst the other supernaturals. A warrior’s blood burns bright, long after death, but kept alive through their ancestry. However, during one war, he was severely injured and was on the verge of death until a volva, or a witch, rescued and healed him. Come to find out that witch, named Alva, was his destined mate.”

Mom flipped to the page that revealed her portrait of Alva dressed in traditional Scandinavian garb, holding a staff in one hand. She hore a striking resemblance to her and Nurla, right down to the ringlets in her hair.

“Despite Alva being a volva, Ulf fell passionately in love with her and found purpose in making certain she was safe. They kept their relationship a secret from both their sects, as they feared neither would be accepted. Ulf did not let anyone or anything harm his love. One day, Alva requested to become a wolf like Uff so they could be together for much longer because Alva was still mortal. He pleaded with Odin for his help and Alva was, to this day, one of the few humans in history to not be a werewolf from birth. Alva’s transformation was difficult and there was a guarantee that she wouldn’t survive the shift, but Ulr’s love for her and her love for him was strong enough to ensure her survival. After her transformation, Alva kept her volva abilities and those two officially mated and lived happily until the end of days with their many children.”

“Aw, I’m glad they got their happy ending.” Nuria smiled, resting her head on Mom’s shoulder. Our family line wouldn’t exist without it. A fierce feeling suddenly lanced through my belly like a sword to concrete, filling my veins with green, gently tickling my anger. As quick as it appeared, I stomped it to dust.

Goddess, what the hell was wrong with me? I shouldn’t be jealous of my own ancestors. They didn’t fuck up. like I did.

unexplained reason. Not all of us would have Alva’s blessing, but we all gained Ull’s blessing. Johansen blood stretches from beyond Norway. To ensure that our bloodline

with a human besides

exclusively mated with Alphas, counting myself. You two are purebreds, and so are your grandparents and great–grandparents. Alva’s blessing was given to your grandfather, who has the gift of foresight. It had skipped my generation, but it looks like you two have her

I being seers?” Nuria scoffed. “Would’ve we have known we had this

lives, the

family line, descending to where Nuria’s and I’s names laid. “Did Dad know

“I wasn’t sure if either of you would’ve gained the blessing. I didn’t

over the other, crossing her arms as she frowned.

watched Mom as she rubbed the bridge of her nose, stress lines creasing in her brow. Worried, I held her hand,

our blood isn’t tainted, after all,” Nuria

because I thought the same. Dad destroyed us. He ruined our family. Yet, a part of him lives within us as we are his children. How couldn’t we think we have tainted blood when the man who made us was an abusive fuck like all the men before him? Nuria watched me live

were never tainted, skattene mine.” Mom’s voice was firm, but love dripped from every syllable she spoke. She planted kisses on our foreheads before continuing. “Despite all he’s done, he has gifted me you two, my treasures. I love

shot me a worried glance, struggling to believe Mom’s words. She was right, but it still hurt. One day, we’ll believe Mom. Maybe. But today wasn’t that day. “What else can this

enough to be susceptible to its messages. How

answer, but Mom didn’t need that. She already knew. “Foresight has a couple of limitations, as it will only allow you to see the future if it involves someone you

something bad… Nuria hesitated, sucking in a gulp of air. “… does it mean it’ll come

“It can.”

I couldn’t accept that.

refused to

front of you was another. And to add salt to the wound, it can come true? No fucking way. I never asked for this damn ability. The future wasn’t set in stone, but that didn’t mean that vision

if it meant

air filled my lungs and licked against my skin once I was outside, but it didn’t calm the irritation bubbling in my stomach. Why this? Why now? My foresight had only shown me visions of losing Kiya, both in the past and now, in the presence. Not one vision I got

Chapter & Foresight

I’m destined to lose her

my chest constricted. No, no, no, no. Not

my head in between my legs to calm my erratic breathing. A technique Dr. Nilsen taught me whenever my anxiety manifested physically. I gripped my hair to anchor

out.

be a minute, serenity took

head to see Nuria taking her spot next to me, handing me a cup of water and a tissue. Sniffling, I took the tissue to wipe my tears I didn’t know had

you dream of a big snake,

hold tightened around the

nightmare. That’s why I was awake when you found me–it felt too real for me to go back

saw Kiya die,” I whispered, my throat drying instantly.

tear swam down

feel you’d

whatever the fuck that means.” She chuckled, sniffling. “I don’t think they’re aware of the

see it in her face. Her face was like an open book, exposed and readable. I’m happy she knew who they were, but I hated how she felt inadequate to be accepted. She’s a marvelous

they’ll have